By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

Brad Houghton spent 23 years leading soldiers and has brought that military experience to his post as veterans service officer for Hood River and Wasco counties.

Houghton, who recently retired as an Army field artillery lieutenant colonel, intends to use his problem-solving and management skills for the benefit of area veterans. He believes that his experience at navigating government channels to accomplish an objective will serve his clients well.

“I have always liked making sure soldiers were well-equipped, trained and ready to fight; that’s what made my active-duty service so worthwhile,” he said.

“This job allows me to maintain that same level of camaraderie because I understand soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. I look forward to helping them access the benefits that they have earned.”

It is because of his insight into military life and veterans’ issues that Houghton was chosen for the VSO position.

“We were very happy to have Mr. Houghton apply for the job; he certainly has the credentials and the knowledge to be a tremendous asset to the vets in both counties,” said David Meriwether, Hood River County administrator.

Houghton was a distinguished military graduate in 1986 of the University of Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Science in secondary education. He holds a master’s in military arts and science and has extensive command and field artillery training.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, four Defense Meritorious Service medals, four Army Meritorious Service medals, three Army Commendation medals, four Army Achievement medals, the Presidential Unit Citation and Ancient Order of Saint Barbara medal.

As a senior officer, Houghton managed the operational, personnel, logistics and equipment readiness of the largest U.S. field artillery battalion in the Army, comprising more than 700 soldiers. His budget was more than $1.8 million and the equipment used by the soldiers was valued at more than $100 million.

“Serving in a combat zone makes for a tight family group (of soldiers). I dealt with a lot of issues involving the morale of my men, such as counseling them through the death of a loved one or being away from home during the birth of a child,” said Houghton.

In 2001, he returned to the states from a South Korean duty station and ended up in U.S. Central Command after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

“For the next three years, I was consumed by the wars,” he said.

In 2007, Houghton deployed to Iraq as part of the “troop surge” and spent the next 15 months in the war-torn country. His duties were to provide an Iraqi brigadier general with military strategies to quell the violence of insurgents.

“We are a superior military and had to exercise a lot of patience when teaching the Iraqis new tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Houghton.

“But working that closely together also gave us an opportunity to learn more about their very ancient culture and their customs.”

After Patrick Scranton left the VSO role four months ago to pursue an educational opportunity, Mike Benedict, planning director for Hood River County who formerly held that position, filled the vacancy one day a week. In Wasco County, Linda Adams, ho currently works at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, also agreed to take on VSO duties temporarily.

“We recognized what a benefit he was going to be, so we took the unprecedented step of bridging the gap in that job for three months until he could get here,” said Benedict, who oversees the VSO program.

Houghton said Oregon has an impressive track record of assisting its citizens who have served in the armed forces.

He said the array of available services include low-interest home loans and emergency grants to help veterans suffering from economic hardships.

“The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs is a very professional and proactive organization,” he said.

Houghton and his wife, Karen, makes their home in Wasco County, which has the largest veteran population in the Gorge.

On Monday and Thursday he will serve veterans in the Hood River office at 601 State St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office in The Dalles, at 2502 S.E. Second St., is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Houghton alternates between offices on Wednesday for special appointments and to catch up on paperwork.

He can be reached for more information about veterans’ programs in Hood River at 541-386-1080 and The Dalles at 541-506-2502.